This site has been created to be a resource for those individuals who wish to incorporate the ever-growing resource of the internet into their academic interest and scholarship in the field of religious studies. For this reason, the linked sites included here have been evaluated for their content, based upon the criteria developed. When possible, these links have also been annotated to cue the user in to the potential strengths/weaknesses of each site.

This site is not meant to be a comprehensive or exhaustive compilation of all of the world's religions. It has been created in the United States and is therefore biased in favor of religious developments in America. Each region in the world presents its own issues and concerns as multiple other social factors intersect with the development of religions. Since even major world religions are dynamic and cannot accurately be studied out of their socio-historical context, this site focuses on providing the reader with introductory information on specific religions.

More importantly, this site is to be used as a model for the pursuit of reliable information on the web. It is hoped that users who visit this site will examine the criteria used for the creation of this site and will apply these same criteria when they are initiating their own search independently of this site.

Included in this site, aside from links to information on specific religions of the world, are also links to organizations related to religion in some way. Many of these organizations can be consulted for further information and have been included because of their value in providing resources for those seeking correct information about traditions.

For the convenience of the user, a link to the Columbia University Press Columbia Guide to Online Style for electronic citation standards has been included. This link provides consise information on how to cite electronic information in various types of scholarly work.